Civic to present hurricane seminar

June 14, 2017

The North Fort Myers Civic Association will hold its annual hurricane and lightning seminar Tuesday, June 20, at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center The civic association has invited Jim Boyer, a new member of the group and a territory manager for StormSmart, a company that manufactures storm shutters. They had used officials from Lee County Emergency Management the last few years, but decided on a change.

"We'll have some handouts to give and other things like we normally do," said Michael Land, civic association president.

This year, there will be things added to the mix. For one, there will be two seminars at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and there will also be an added section on tornadoes.

Land said tornadoes are a different threat as, unlike a hurricane, they hit with almost no warning. However, the same rules apply.

"Don't leave loose objects around in the yard, and be on the lookout for a swirl of black in the distance," Land said.

Land said the lightning component is key because Florida is the lightning capital of the world and that lightning can happen anywhere and you can be struck at any time, even when the conditions don't seem conducive to it.

As for the additional presentation, Land said civic is shooting for two different audiences. The morning seminar is directed towards the SHARE Club members, mostly retirees, as well as the potential for summer campers to bring in the real young crowd. The night program hopes to bring in those who need to come after work and young adults.

Land said the civic association has been doing this event for years. Gregg Makepeace started it years ago and has become as important as the annual town meeting and candidate forums.

For more information, contact the rec center, which is at at 2000 N. Recreation Way, at 533-7200.